Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at Salisbury University

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at Salisbury University
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
A college degree is an investment in your future – so of course, you may have questions about paying for your education. The great news is that Salisbury University is one of the most affordable college options in the region. In fact, we are consistently ranked a “best value” school nationally! SU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will help you access numerous ways to fund your degree, so your education is always within reach.
The Updated FAFSA
It all starts with the FAFSA. Filling out the FAFSA form every year is important to give you access to all forms of financial aid, from federal grants and loans to scholarships – and the best part is, any student can qualify!
Complete the FAFSA
Important Financial Aid Announcements
New Outreach Partner for Former SU Federal Student Loan Borrowers
Heads up to former SU federal student loan borrowers - Salisbury University has partnered with
Attigo by @AscendiumEd
. Attigo’s number one goal is to provide expert support and guidance to help former SU students understand their federal student loans as well as available repayment options. It’s available at no cost to you, and they’ll never ask for personally identifiable information.
So, if you receive a phone call or an email from
Attigo by @AscendiumEd
, we strongly encourage you to answer/respond so you can benefit from their assistance and begin your journey to repayment success! Real guidance. No gimmicks. Just support.
Having difficulties making your student loan payments?
Repayment Support:
800-815-1288 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST)
Did you just graduate, or is your grace period getting ready to end, and you have questions or concerns about repaying your federal student loans?
Student Loan Success Center:
833-707-1220 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST)
Summer 2026 Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has begun offering financial aid for the 2026 summer semester.  If you are interested in learning more about summer financial aid and eligibility, please visit our
Summer Session Financial Aid
webpage.
The 2026-2027 FAFSA is Available
The 26-27 FAFSA is open and can be completed at
studentaid.gov
for the 2026-2027 academic year. The priority deadline for SU and Maryland State Financial Aid is March 1, 2026.
2026-2027 Parent PLUS & Grad PLUS Loan Changes (OBBB Act)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act), signed into law in July 2025, introduces significant changes to
Parent PLUS
and
Grad PLUS
loans that take effect starting
July 1, 2026
, for new borrowers and new programs.
Parent PLUS Loans
Beginning July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS loans will have annual limits of $20,000 per student and a lifetime aggregate limit of $65,000 per student, regardless of whether one or more parents are borrowing on behalf of their student. This contrasts with previous regulations that permitted borrowing up to the full cost of attendance.
Legacy Provision:
If a student has a Parent PLUS Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a credentialed academic program, the parent can continue to borrow from the Parent PLUS Loan program up to three additional academic years or until their program ends, whichever comes first.
Expected Time to Credential:
To continue borrowing under the legacy provision after July 1, 2026, ED stated that the student needs to remain continuously enrolled in the same program of study. A student who changes majors within the same degree shall be considered to be enrolled in the same program of study.
Grad PLUS Loans
Beginning July 1, 2026, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans will be discontinued for new borrowers. Graduate students will be limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans with annual caps of $20,500 and a lifetime aggregate limit of $100,000.
Legacy Provision:
Students who receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Grad PLUS loan disbursement before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a credentialed academic program, may be able to continue borrowing up to the full cost of attendance for their program of study for up to three additional academic years or until their program ends, whichever comes first. If students start a new program of study after July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be available for that program.
Expected Time to Credential
To continue borrowing under the legacy provision after July 1, 2026, ED stated that the student needs to stay enrolled in the same academic program with the same major at the same school.
Stay Informed
As policies may continue to evolve, stay informed at
Federal Student Aid website
SU Financial Aid Office Introduces New Secure Document Portal
The Salisbury University Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has paired with Ellucian, a highly respected education technology company, to upgrade how students submit documents to our office. We have implemented the NEW
Financial Aid Student Forms Portal (FASFP)
for the 2025-2026 academic year. With a mobile-friendly format, interactive format, and secure document downloading/uploading, completing and submitting forms and documents to our office has never been easier!
We’re excited that our students will be able to:
Complete financial aid forms on their phone, tablet, or computer.
Securely upload documents from any device.
E-sign most documents—both you and your parents!
Manage almost all financial aid tasks online
Receive automated reminders about outstanding tasks and next steps
All students who have been offered any form of aid/financial assistance will be sent an email, and have a GullNet “To Do List” item assigned, instructing them how to create an account for the FASFP. This is a
“one time” account creation
and they will use their SU credentials to access the FASFP. The portal will not only be for federal and university financial aid verification documents, but it will also have additional forms such as the enrollment change form (for students who are not enrolling full time), financial aid appeal forms, loan reduction requests, scholarship reinstatement requests, and more.
Students can create their account and access the
Financial Aid Student Forms Portal
Recent Changes with Department of Education
Recent workforce reductions at Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the U.S. Department of Education have affected several divisions. However, Salisbury University does not expect these changes to significantly impact the availability or delivery of federal student assistance, such as Pell Grants and student loans. While occasional temporary delays may occur as the Department of Education adjusts its operations, we anticipate that they will prioritize ensuring that eligible funding continues to reach students without major disruptions. Should any challenges arise, Salisbury University is committed to minimizing the impact on our students and providing the necessary support. We will continue to closely monitor developments and remain prepared to navigate any changes. Please be assured that we are here to assist you with any concerns regarding your financial aid.
2025-2026 Parent PLUS Loan Application
The U.S. Department of Education has officially opened the 2025-2026
Parent PLUS loan application
A parent PLUS loan applicant should keep the following in mind:
The parent completing the application has to either be the biological/adoptive/step parent who is included on the student’s FAFSA OR the biological/adoptive parent who is not listed on the FAFSA.
Other family members, and step-parent’s who are not on the FAFSA,
are not
eligible to apply.
The parent PLUS loan is in the name of the parent applicant only, and will remain so until the loan is paid in full.
You are NOT required to apply for the amount listed in the student’s financial aid offer. As you and the student review estimated costs, other sources of financial aid, and self-pay/payment plan options, you may find that a significantly lower amount will “fill the gap”.
If you are applying for a loan to cover the school year (Fall and Spring), make sure to double your requested loan amount if you used semester costs/aid to determine the amount you need and select the loan period of August 2025 - May 2026.
You should also account for the fact that the U.S. Department of Education will deduct 4.228% from your requested amount for their “loan origination fees”. So, for every $1,000 you request, SU will receive payment of approximately $957.
If you do not specify an amount on the PLUS loan application, our office will process the loan for the “offer” amount.
If approved, you must complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) if this is the first time you have received a PLUS loan for your student.
Fall 2025 bills will be issued, via student email, on July 17, 2025. If you decide to wait until the bill is issued before applying for the PLUS loan, we
highly recommend
that you complete the application by July 31st to avoid a late fee.
If you decide, after completing the PLUS loan application, that you need to increase/decrease the amount of your PLUS loan, please contact our office and we will guide you through the next steps.
Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions.
Important Information from MHEC Office of Student Financial Assistance
MHEC has set the Maryland financial aid deadline to submit the
2026-27 FAFSA for March 1st, 2026
. Students are encouraged to file the 26-27 FAFSA now and not miss their filing deadline! MHEC anticipates the first round of awards for the Guaranteed Access Grant program will not be made until late May 2026. If you submit your FAFSA on or before March 1st, MHEC will automatically consider you for the Guaranteed Access Grant program. For a complete listing of all Maryland State Financial Aid programs visit their website
State Financial Assistance Programs & Applications
As soon as you complete and submit your FAFSA, make sure to create a
Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) Account
. This is a critical part of the financial aid process. Please make sure when you sign up that you use an email that you use all the time, because the email you put in as your MDCAPS account is the email we will use to notify you about any scholarships or grants you may be eligible to receive!
The 2026–2027 MHEC One-App, including the MSFAA section, will open on November 1, 2025. MHEC has the One-App to help streamline the process when applying for certain State scholarships and grants that require a separate application. The One-App allows students easier access to financial aid information. To get started, students log into
MDCAPS
. The One-App is also for undocumented students who are eligible for in-state tuition but are unable to complete the FAFSA (replaces the previous application called MSFAA).
For the most update to date information from MHEC please visit their website
Maryland Higher Education Commission
$75
Million in Scholarships and Financial Aid
92%
Incoming Students Receiving Financial Aid
$2
Million in SU Foundation Scholarships
Financial Aid Deadlines
It’s best to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for priority aid, so be sure to keep these key deadlines in mind. We get that financing your education can be overwhelming. If you have questions at any point, our financial aid officers are always on hand to walk you through the process, step by step.
Date
Deadline
October 1, 2025
2026-27 FAFSA Opens
March 1, 2026
SU Priority Deadline for Fall 2026*
June 30, 2026
2025-26 FAFSA Closes
*Also Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) deadline for Maryland residents
Paying for College
Your educational journey should always be accessible and affordable. At SU, almost all of our students receive some type of financial aid. You have many options to fund your degree, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans.
View Types of Aid
I had full-tuition scholarship offers from other universities, but the number of scholarships I received from SU made up for that. Here, I have the opportunity for study abroad fellowships and research scholarships, so I’m not only getting money to pay for my degree, I’m learning new perspectives here.
Jahnaiya Sutherland
Data Science & Business Administration Major
Cost of Attendance
How much will your SU degree cost? Use our Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate on the cost of your education. The calculator uses your answers to figure out how much money in grants and scholarships may be awarded to you – and keep in mind there are still many more ways to fund your education!
Review Tuition and Costs
Maintaining Eligibility
To maintain your financial aid eligibility, you must meet the minimum standards for “Satisfactory Academic Progress” toward your degree. This typically means maintaining good academic standards and your enrollment status.
Learn More about SAP
Need Help?
Email your questions to
finaid@salisbury.edu
Call us at 410-543-6165
Schedule a virtual
Financial Aid Counseling appointment
Visit the office in Scarborough Student Leadership Center (Suite 201)
Hours:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Mailing Address:
Salisbury University
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
1204 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21801
Any forms may be emailed, mailed, faxed or placed in a drop box outside the office.
frequently asked questions about FAFSA, aid and scholarships
FAQs for Financial Aid & Scholarships
What types of scholarships are available at Salisbury University?
SU has numerous scholarship opportunities for students of all interests and backgrounds, including academic merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships for specific majors and career paths. On December 1st, the
SU Scholarship Website
opens for all current and admitted students who have submitted the FAFSA.
SU Scholarship Website
How do I apply for financial aid at Salisbury University?
It all starts with the FAFSA! Filling out the FAFSA each year gives you access to federal grants, scholarships, loans and other ways to afford your education. Make sure to add SU’s school code: 002091.
When should I submit the FAFSA?
It’s best to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for priority aid. The FAFSA is available starting October 1 and should be submitted by March 1 for priority funding. However, some funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Do I need to complete the FAFSA every year?
Yes, you must fill out the FAFSA every year to apply for aid.
What happens if I am unable to maintain my eligibility?
Scholarship funding for students who fail to meet the minimum requirements will be terminated with the exception of first-semester students. First-semester students who have achieved a minimum 2.0 GPA at the conclusion of their first semester will be permitted to receive their scholarship funding for one additional semester, after which they must meet the minimum requirements for continued scholarship eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid Office for individual questions.
Contact Us:
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Scarborough Student Leadership Center 201
410-543-6165
410-543-6138
finaid@salisbury.edu
Schedule Zoom Appointment